Can I make a second copy of my Windows operating system software for my portable computer?

The End-User License Agreement (EULA) for many Microsoft application software products contains the following sentence: "The primary user of the computer on which the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is installed may make a second copy for his or her exclusive use on a portable computer." If your EULA contains this sentence, then, subject to the conditions mentioned, you may make a second copy of the software. Note that you must be the primary user of the computer on which the software is installed. The primary user is the individual who uses the computer most of the time it is in use. Only that individual is entitled to use the second copy. Furthermore, the software must be installed on the local hard disk of your computer; you are not entitled to make and use a second copy on your portable computer if you run the primary copy of the software from a network server. Finally, only one secondary copy may be made; you may install this copy on more than one portable computer.

Please note that many Microsoft products are copy protected and it will not be technically possible to make a second copy of the disk. If you are a Licensee of software that includes copy protection technology, please call the Product Support Services number provided for that specific product to learn whether or not unencrypted disks can be obtained

You can check your EULA:

For more information, see the End-User License Agreement, located at Systemroot\System32\eula.txt

I'm running the Win2003 Server eval and don't have xp home installed or I'd look it up for you. This is probably what was being referred to. I know I have been asked if the activation was for a "single computer" when I had to do the phone thing so I dunno but....

I also have been asked if my copy of Windows XP Pro was installed on only one computer. I do know that Microsoft Office XP can be installed on one main computer and a laptop as the previous post states but I don't believe that applies to Windows. Hope that helps.
Jeff

Of course you can legally install the eval on up to 8 computers, so that might be a short term option. Does the "portable computer" language show up in your Windows XP EULA? If it does and you are the sole user of these computers I guess you could lug the second one around the room once in a while to satisfy the "portable" issue. Up to you. Question is will it activate (probably not automatically, and the question is will MS Activation customer service allow it). If you try it post back with the results either way.

1. GRANT OF LICENSE. Microsoft grants you the following rights
provided that you comply with all terms and conditions of
this EULA:

* Installation and use. You may install, use, access,
display and run one copy of the Product on a single
computer, such as a workstation, terminal or other device
("Workstation Computer"). The Product may not be used
by more than two (2) processors at any one time on any
single Workstation Computer. You may permit a maximum
of ten (10) computers or other electronic devices (each
a "Device") to connect to the Workstation Computer to
utilize the services of the Product solely for File and
Print services, Internet Information Services, and remote
access (including connection sharing and telephony
services). The ten connection maximum includes any
indirect connections made through "multiplexing" or other
software or hardware which pools or aggregates
connections. Except as otherwise permitted by the
NetMeeting, Remote Assistance, and Remote Desktop
features described below, you may not use the Product
to permit any Device to use, access, display or run other
executable software residing on the Workstation Computer,
nor may you permit any Device to use, access, display,
or run the Product or Product's user interface, unless
the Device has a separate license for the Product.

How many installations can be made with one product license? Has this changed with the introduction of Product Activation?
The underlying principles of Microsoft's software licenses have not changed. Microsoft's End User License Agreements (EULAs) have always stipulated the number of PCs that software can be installed on. Product Activation does not change that. Office XP may be installed on one PC. The primary user of Office may also install one copy on a laptop computer for their exclusive use. To install Office XP on more than these two devices, another license of the product must be acquired. Licenses for Office XP acquired preinstalled on a new PC are single-PC licenses that cannot be transferred or installed a second time on another PC or laptop computer. Windows XP may be installed on one PC. There are no secondary use rights (e.g. no "laptop clause") in the Windows XP EULA . The aforementioned licensing terms have not been changed due to Product Activation.http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/mpafaq.asp